There is something unmistakably different about Abhishek Ray which doesn't give itself away until you hear Udaas Paani, his second album. Apart from a veritable display of the
29-year-old's versatility, what marks the album's-and its maker's-superiority is the fact that renowned poet Gulzar has penned the lyrics and lent his sonorous voice to their rendition.

It happened like this: Ray, a veteran composer of 500 ad jingles and serials, approached Gulzar after composing the music for the album. The discerning poet liked what he heard and agreed to put his inimitable words to it. "I have worshipped Gulzarsaheb all my life and it was a dream come true to have him come to my studio and record the album," says Ray. "When he said, 'The album is nice and I am glad I joined hands with you,' it was the best compliment he gave me."

Udaas Paani has eight numbers based on ragas with elements of world music, trance, jazz, Arabic folk, and forms of contemporary orchestration. "I want to make Indian classical music more acceptable, exciting and palatable for the youth," says Ray, who has also composed music for two unreleased films-Pal Pal Dil Ke Saath and Haasil. But his sustenance comes from composing for tele-serials. "It gives me the freedom to experiment and interpret my own moods. It is challenging for me to encompass the mood of the serial's theme in a one-minute composition," says Ray.

ON TRACK
Charged Up

HARD TRUTH: Watson

When hip-hop star Shari Watson took on the name of Truth Hurts, she probably didn't realise it would be prophetic. Record company Saregama (the erstwhile HMV) has slapped her, her producers and record company with a US $500 million suit. The number in question is the chart-topping Addictive, which is overlaid on a Lata Mangeshkar song-Thoda resham lagta hai from the 1980s movie Jyoti-using the same beats.

It seems the producer of Addictive, rapper Dr Dre, liked the original song's beat so much that he decided to use it. The record company's counsel says his clients "didn't know how to find the owner of the track". Don't miss the irony of the case: Saregama is defending the work of music director Bappi Lahiri, who has been "inspired" by western music over the decades. In fact, many of them must have been released by Saregama itself!

-Shilpa Nayak

Complete Package

GUNAAH; Sony Music MC: Rs 50; cd: Rs 145

With a jamboree of creative minds working collectively-three music directors (Anand Raj Anand and Sajid-Wajid), an equal number of lyricists (Anand Bakshi, Praveen Bharadwaj, Faiz Anwar) and eight top-notch singers-the soundtrack of the film Gunaah had to be better than average. Fortunately, it is. The songs are melodious, soothing and hummable.

The duet Hamne tumko dil ye de diya showcases the versatility of Alka Yagnik and Babul Supriyo, who scores again with Jab dil churaya. For a taste of qawwali music and rich choral voices, listen to Rooth kar hum by Roop Kumar Rathod and the Sabri Brothers. Dil ne kaha by Sonu Nigam has some scintillating piano interludes. The theme song by Sunidhi Chauhan is also gripping. And for Kumar Sanu fans, the duet with Yagnik, Mere dil pe kisine is worth listening to.

For any song to be popular, it is imperative to have a strong melody suitably matched by the singer's voice. That perfect combination can be found in Gunaah.

-S. Sahaya Ranjit